Some five or more years had passed since the formation of The Unit of Sky and Earth, and to the casual observer all was happy and good. Inside The Unit there was much discomfort and unhappiness. The years of domination, bullying and pointless review meetings where The Bully presided to enforce his power and subjugate his serfs were taking their toll. Sadim The Bully had not forgotten the treason of Goldbird and The Guru. It had not come to pass that the Unit were banished to the Castle in the Square, as he himself had greatly feared. The entreaties of Goldbird and The Guru had calmed the Magi and influenced the views of The Powers That Be. The Bully was mightily displeased as this showed that power and influence that were rightfully his had been wielded by those of vast inferiority who were clearly not worthy. This angered and disgusted The Bully as it could cause damage to his reputation and standing in the world. His action would have to be swift and it would have to be cunning. The Bully was not a stranger to deceit, and he was not a stranger to disposing of problem serfs.

Many serfs of the admin had come and gone. Some had their own incredible stories to tell of the activities and behaviour of The Bully, but many of their problems had gone largely unnoticed - such was the power of The Bully.

On one bright morn things came to a head. The Bully entered the Unit, calling to the Techie "Let us take a walk. A healthgiving stroll through the parklands of my, sorry, our domain. Let us leave behind the stress and noise of the Unit and keep those who are less important out of our crucial and major discussions". Although greatly concerned by this unusual show of goodwill and levity, Goldbird the Techie decided he had little to lose and went along for the walk. Goldbird had forgotten the singular rule of engagement when dealing with The Bully - there are always more to things than meets the eye.

After expressing much excrement of the bull Sadim The Bully finally got around to his reason for the private meeting. Stressing that what he was expressing were completely the views of the Magi, and only accepted by him through much pain and sleepless days, Sadim began. "There is ill will and lack of contentment in the Palace of the Magi" he reported. "Our Unit works well, as we know, with us two as joint masters of the serfs, but this can not last". "The Magi require that The Unit has but one master, in keeping with other parts of the Kingdom". Goldbird was stunned, but The Bully continued to press his point. "If we fail to accept the will of the Magi they will crush us and our Unit to dust". "We must act swiftly, and you must allow me to take control of the Unit as you have to accept that my power is immeasurably greater than yours". "I can save the Unit, and I can save you as my chief serf".

"If you refuse to accept your fate, as you may choose to do since this decision is yours, then you and all of your loyal serfs will surely perish". "No pressure" he failed to add.

The Techie, being unprepared for this prediction of doom, and being a novice in the art of the politik, was unable to respond in any meaningful way. For him the end was in sight.

Read The Town of the Wise Man

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